MOSSEL BAY NEWS - OK Energy Limited (OK Energy) has submitted an application to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) for an Exploration Right in terms of Section 79 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) to explore for oil and gas in the Northwest Pletmos Exploration Area, located off the coast of Mossel Bay.

In terms of the MPRDA, OK Energy is required to submit an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) to cover the proposed activities to PASA for consideration and for approval by the Minister of Mineral Resources. They recently distributed a document with background information with the aim to provide stakeholders with information and invite affected parties to comment on the proposed activities.

The objective of the proposed exploration activities is to investigate the subsea geological structures to determine the presence of hydrocarbons, oil and gas. The Northwest Pletmos Exploration Area is located offshore of Mossel Bay and comprises exploration licence blocks 3422A, 3422B and 3422D, totalling 6 899 square kilometres, which extend from the coast to a maximum water depth of approximately 200m.

Work programme
The survey is likely to occur between December 2013 and May 2014. Potential positive and negative environmental and social impacts will be investigated during the Environmental Management Programme, which will be submitted, with any comments received from interested parties, to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA), who will decide on whether or not to issue an Exploration Right.

Key issues
The Environmental Management Programme will identify the key issues associated with the proposed activities and determine controls that will be implemented to avoid or reduce environmental and social impacts.

A preliminary assessment has indicated the following key issues:

• Noise effects on marine fauna from multi-beam bathymetry survey, seabed sampling programme and seismic survey;
• Effects and activities on the fishing industry, including effects on fish behaviour, fish catches and cessation or displacement of fishing activities, as a result of noise effects and presence of survey vessels;
• Impact on tourism and recreation as a result of noise effects and presence of survey vessels;
• Interference with marine recreational facilities and transport routes; and
• Waste discharge to sea and emissions to the atmosphere.

To better understand the existing environmental and social setting, a fisheries specialist study and a marine faunal specialist study will be undertaken. To the extent possible, the proposed seismic surveys would be scheduled to avoid critical periods for marine mammals or protected species, such as mating or calving periods. A safety buffer zone will be implemented around sensitive marine features, such as Marine Protected Areas. No exploration activities will be undertaken within such areas.

Interested and affected parties are invited to contact Tougheeda Aspeling of ERM on either email tougheeda.aspeling@erm.com or by fax at 021 686 0736.

The deadline for registration, however, was 17 May 2013.


OK Energy Limited has submitted an application for Exploration Rights to explore for oil and gas in the Northwest Pletmos Exploration Area, located off the coast of Mossel Bay.

'Ons bring jou die nuutste Mosselbaai | Tuinroete nuus'